This blog recommends that you adopt a shoes-off policy in your home, not just for family but also for guests and other visitors. Socks, slippers and bare feet are fine indoors, but not shoes. Just say NO to shoes in your house!

Saturday, February 10, 2007

A Farewell Speech

My fellow short-term worker, Joy, gave her farewell speech to the church today. In her speech she said:

I have learned many things from being in Japan. I have learned that you can keep your home much cleaner if you always take your shoes off.

3 comments:

Nice to see some comments on here at last, it had been quiet for long! I totally agree that floors stay cleaner when shoes come off. As I said before the house I moved into last year has light coloured carpets. The previous owners had put it down 2 years before I moved in and they would always take their shoes off when inside the house. As you can imagine I have faithfully followed the same policy since the day I moved in and the carpets still look pretty spotless even though they are now about 3 years old. I have no doubt that it's all thanks to the consistent removal of shoes by the front door and as I have every intention of continuing faithfully with the same policy, I have every confidence that the carpets will last a few more years.

What is a "Shoes-Off Policy"?

Some people have a rule in their home that both family and visitors must take off their shoes when entering the house.

They may have a number of reasons for having such a rule. They may worry about their carpet getting dirty, they may want to avoid their hardwood floor being scratched by heels, they may fear that shoes could pick up toxins that might harm their children or it may be that removing shoes at the door is part of their culture.

This blog is an extended defence of the practice of removing shoes at the door. I live in Britain, where keeping shoes on in houses is common and I have seen how damaged carpets and floors can get. I also think removing shoes promotes a more relaxed atmosphere in the home.

In some countries having a shoes-off policy is not necessary. That is because removing shoes is the cultural norm and nobody would dream of not taking their shoes off. Countries where it is like this include Japan, Thailand, the Czech Republic, Sweden and many more that I could mention.

Strictly no shoes in here!

37 Reasons Why You Should Have a Shoes-Off Policy

1. Carpets are not easy to clean.2. Carpets absorb dust and become breeding grounds for dust mites, causing the development of asthma and allergies.3. If you do not have a carpet, the dust will not be absorbed and you are likely to breathe it in.4. Shoes can leave marks on wood, PVC and marble floors.5. Shoes can scratch wood flooring, especially if they have high heels.6. Boots and high heeled shoes can cause wear and tear to carpets.7. That goes for rugs as well.8. Shoes pick up small particles of grit that cause wear and tear to carpets.9. Shoes pick up traces of petrol fumes and industrial pollution.10. Shoes can pick up pesticides, fertilizers and other chemicals.11. Shoes pick up traces of animal excrement.12. Ever noticed how much chewing gum there is stuck to the streets?13. In a square mile, there are more insects than people on the planet. How many do you think you have squashed on your shoes?14. If you have a crawling baby, do you want him or her to be exposed to the dirt from people's shoes?15. In rain or snow, you are less likely to get the floor wet.16. If you live near a beach, you will bring less sand into the house.17. If you have a crawling baby, you will do less damage if you accidently step on him or her.18. If you get mad and kick the cat or dog, you will do less damage (apologies to animal lovers).19. If your children play rough, they will do less damage.20. It creates a less formal atmosphere.21. It creates a greater sense of relaxation.22. Your guests will become more like you by removing their shoes and will feel part of the family.23. An Asian, Scandinavian or East European visitor will feel more at home.24. It teaches children the importance of respecting and looking after things.25. Psychologically, removing your shoes helps you to enter a frame of mind where you keep your everyday troubles outside your home.26. It is more comfortable.27. It is healthier for you feet to take your shoes off during the day.28. Small children with growing feet should wear shoes only to the minimum.29. If you wear high-heeled shoes, your feet badly need a break.30. You can put your feet up on the sofa without taking your shoes off first (Dont tell me you put your feet on the sofa with shoes on?).31. If you live in an apartment, you will make less noise for the people below.32. If you ever visit Japan, it will seem less weird.33. If you are ever arrested and they confiscate your shoes, along with your belt and jewellery, it will seem less weird.34. Your feet smell less if you do not wear shoes all day.35. When you lovingly chastise your children, you will have a slipper to hand.36. It was a Biblical custom (come on, did they wash their feet with shoes on?)37. Do you really think the Saints in Glory are going to trample the sparkling, clean New Jerusalem with shoes on?

About Me

I am an orthodox Roman Catholic Christian and Conservative Party member.
I look to the renewal of the cosmos through the reconciling work of Christ.
I believe the best way to keep homes clean is to remove shoes at the door. I expect visitors to my home to remove their shoes.
I am one of the 48% who voted Remain in the EU referendum.